Frederick goerte



no Model.)

F. GO-ERTE.

POSTAGE STAMP MOISTBNEB.

Patented Nov. '22, 1892,

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- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK GOERTE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

POSTAGE-STAMP MOlSTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 486,611, dated November 22, 1892.

Application filed September 15, 1892. Serial No. 446,025. (No model.)

T0 09% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK GonRTE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Postage-Stamp Moisteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved postage-stamp moistener of that class in which a block of absorbent material is employed for conducting the moisture from a suitable receptacle to the postage or other stamps which are to be affixed to letters or other articles; and the invention consists of a postage-stamp moistener which comprises a receptacle for the water, a block of absorbent material supported in said receptacle, the block being pro- Vided with longitudinal openings in its body and with elastic cushions in its side, the latter serving to retain the block in position in the receptacle while the longitudinal openings serve for producing the more uniform distribution of the moisture to the top part of the block, as will be fully described hereinafter, and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved postage-stamp moistener, showing the same in the act of being used. Fig. 2 is an end elevation; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the absorbent block used in my stamp-moistener, the latter two figures being drawn on a larger scale.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a receptacle, which is made of glass or other suitable material and which is partly filled with water. In the receptacle is placed an absorbent block B, which is preferably made from infusorial earth that is combined with a suitable binding medium and burned in the customary manner. The absorbent block B is provided with a groove bin the bottom and with longitudinal holes or openings I) W. The bottom groove 1) and the holes b serve for the purpose of furnishing a greater surface for the water, so that the same can rise quicker into the body of the block. The upper perforation b is located in the top part of the block and above the level of the water in the receptacle and serves to give access to the air, which has the effect of retarding somewhat the flow of the water in upward directiou and diminishing the supply of moisture in the top part of the block, so that just moisture enough is applied that the mucilage on the stamps can be wet. The top part of the absorbent block is covered by a piece of felt, velvet, or other suitable absorbent fabric, which is replaced from time to time, as required. This covering-layer protects the top of the block and prevents it from getting smudged or dirty. The covering-layer O is attached by means of rubber e, wire, or any other suitable fastening device, longitudinal grooves 61 being provided in the sides of the block for the purpose of fastening the covering-layer C. The absorbent block Bis provided in its sides with elastic cushions w, which are inserted into socket-holes of the block and formed of rubber or other suitable elastic material. These elastic cushions are made of sufficient size to hold the block always in position in the receptacle and prevent the wabbling of the same when carrying the stamp-moistener or when using the same by moving the stamps over it.

When it is desired to moisten postagestamps or other stamps, a strip of the same is taken hold of by the hands and then slowly passed in downward direction over the slightly-moistened covering-layer C, so that sufficient moisture is supplied to render the stamps adhesive and permit their quick attachment to the envelopes or other articles. The moi tener always supplies just the required quantity of water, and can also be used to great advantage by cashiers of banks,&c.,for moistening the fingers in counting bills and the like.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. Amoistenerforpostage andotherstamps, consisting of a receptacle for the water, an ab sorbent block located in said receptacle and provided with a covering-layer extending over the top of the same and with elastic cushions in the side walls, substantially as set forth.

2. A moistener for postagestamps, eomtion at the top part of the block, substantially posed of a receptacle for Water, an absorbent as set forth. block provided with a covering-layer at the In testimony that I claim the foregoing as top and with a bottom groove and longitudimy invention I have signed my name in pres- 5 nal perforations in the block, substantially once of two subscribing Witnesses.

as set forth. 7 v 1 3. An absorbent block for stamp-moisten- FREDERICK (IOERTE' ers, provided with a bottom groove and with Witnesses: a longitudinal perforation in the middle por- PAUL GOEPEL, 10 tion of the body and a longitudinal perfora- CHARLES SCHROEDER. 

